Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has become an important player for the club but his career almost took a very different path.

According to AS, Valverde reached an agreement to join Premier League side Arsenal at a very young age.

Valverde was recommended to Arsenal’s legendary former boss, Arsene Wenger, by his scout Francis Cagigao. And the midfielder and his agent even travelled to London in December 2014 after the Gunners had reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with prodigious talent.

Valverde even trained with the Arsenal first team after being shown around the club’s London Colney training base.

However, Arsenal then pulled out of the deal as they weren’t convinced enough.

The disappointment didn’t stop Valverde as he went on bag seven goals for Uruguay in the South American U17 Championship not long after the move collapsed. 

Arsenal then returned with an offer but Valverde’s impressive performances at the tournament also caught the eye of Real Madrid, who swooped in to sign him from Penarol for just €5million (£4.45m).